Cocktails with a Curator: Holbein's "Sir Thomas More"
Vložit
- čas přidán 2. 07. 2020
- In this week’s episode of “Cocktails with a Curator,” Xavier F. Salomon, Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator, examines one of the Frick’s most beloved paintings, Hans Holbein’s “Sir Thomas More.” Xavier considers More's relationship to humanist circles and the role of "friendship portraits" in making the absent present. In the words of More's devoted friend, Desiderius Erasmus, “life without a friend is no life." As a nod to the turbulent times of Tudor England, Xavier pairs this episode with a Bloody Mary cocktail.
To see this painting in detail, please visit our website: collections.frick.org/objects...
Virtual programs have been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
When one can stop looking at that amazingly lifelike face, the red velvet sleeves are so incredibly painted, they seem to glow from within! You can spend hours studying this masterpiece!
The highlight of the internet week.
Salomon is not just an art historian, he is a cultural historian. In that way, he renders this painting multidimensional, a brilliant approach to a flat object. I studied art history in grad school, and I wish this approach had been part of the curriculum. It is a lively approach and much more interesting.
Yes, I agree."divorcing" works of art from their cultures, ends up just being very dry and academic. I took My MA is East Asian Art in London, and I thought it was pointless just to write an essay about "brushstrokes". There is now a wonderful book, a companion with all of the short essays and recipes in Cocktails with A Curator.
I can't tell you how many friends I have turned on to this wonderful series of Cocktails with a Curator!
Of course, Mr. Salomon is a brilliant historian but what I enjoy most is his engaging story telling. As listeners, we are quickly transported to the 16th century as we learn about Holbein’s portrait of Sir Thomas More. The portrait is a portal and Mr. Salomon an effective guide to the Middle Ages as we learn about Holbein, a popular painter, and Sir Thomas More as a family man, his friendships and thoughts. The disparity of time is erased.
I love this painting of Sir Thomas Moore! It is so alive that it conveys a sense of his spirit and personality.
I thank you and The Frick Collection for this wonderful initiative. I’ve been a Frick visitor for years and today, so far away for I live in Costa Rica, and not knowing when I’ll be able to come again, this videos not only brighten up my confinement but teach me a lot about my favorite works of art and about others that I might had overseen. You are wonderful, precise and a pleasure to listen to. THe flowers behind you today are beautiful by the way.
This series is brilliant, and a light in these dark times. I can’t wait to visit the Frick in person when it’s safe to do so.
I grew up with a copy of this painting in my childhood home! My mother admires Sir Thomas More. Excellent paring by the way!
wonderful lecture on Holbein and Thomas More. They live on. Thanks
I love the close up views of this extraordinary portrait. I have seen the painting in person many years ago at the Frick. Holbein is one of the most incredibly skilled portrait artists who ever lived. He does breathe life into every work, even the worn pencil sketches which survive today. Every element in the Thomas More is imbued with such skill and clarity you can almost feel the stubble on his face, touch the velvet and furs of his clothing. It's such a pity that the family portrait was lost. Thank you for your wonderful, lively analysis of this portrait.
This series gets better and better. I don’t know whether twenty minutes or so was pre-selected or was serendipitous but it’s the perfect length of time to explore a great work of Art and the cocktail makes it fun.
Seeing the painting up close-wow. Thank you so much for this presentation.
What a fantastic talk. It brought even more life to a portrait I have always admired.
Many thanks again and again Xavier, you illuminate our darkest hour. Just because of your amazing lectures I became a Frick member and encouraged many friends to follow me. Your work deserves our support.
Have spent lots of time in front of this painting; it is one of my favorites; extraordinary to see the details up close.
This series is a gift. Thanks to The Frick and curator Salomon for brightening our lives during these challenging times.
Would it not be lovely if all these talks were published as a beautiful book to remind us in the future of what we all looked forward to so much every week.
Such a welcome delight, sequestered in Virginia City, Nevada.
Holbein: Endlessly inspiring.
Xavier has an interested, and engaging way in these presentations. His speech, thinking, and explanations are insightful and understandable. Let us not forget the support provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities which supports this series. These videos should become a model for all museums to follow to showcase their holdings and enrich the public’s understanding.
A few details should be corrected. More was never required to "sign the divorce papers" for the king. There were no divorce papers for his first marriage. A number of solutions to the problem of the marriage were discussed, but the basic issue was that Henry claimed that, having married his brother Arthur, Queen Catherine was within the degrees of consanguinity (kinship) in which people were forbidden to marry, and that therefore Henry's marriage to her was invalid. More sidestepped this issue as well as those of the marriage to Anne Boleyn and her right to be called queen. His offense was that he refused to take the oath that recognized Henry as the supreme governor of the church in England. He was tried for treason on the basis of this refusal, and was convicted and executed.
Thank you so much for these vids. I am an artist and I used to work in museums, I have a spinal disability and my life was quarantine before this... I watch a lot of museum talks and discussions and this series makes me feel we're at an opening, rosé! tink! I hope you still do something like this every once and a while after the plague. You see now, how it is to be stuck home all day everyday. For some, this is daily life on the regular. Museum talks and tour videos are also appreciated, but being spoken to directly is um, really important engagement I think. Mm yes. I feel human. Thank you. Cheers.
Xavier, you give us all something to hope for as this crisis moves, hopefully, at some point, to its closure, when we can visit the Frick in the company of our equally fragile human beings with whom we share this globe.
Always look forward to Friday at 5. After this Hell is over, I can't wait to get back to the Frick and see these beautiful works of art in person. Thank you so much!!
Wonderful presentation.
Stunning portrait of Thomas Moore. Thank You. My eyes go from his eyes to the red velvet sleeves, and back to his eyes.It takes my breath.
An avid fan of art here, I've been tuning in since the start of the series and every episode has been an absolute pleasure to watch. The show deserves awards upon awards. Thank you to Xavier and everyone involved, your efforts don't go unappreciated.
This is one of the most fascinating series I’ve seen in a long time.
The Frick is my favorite place in New York, and for those of us abroad and for everyone while it's closed, this excellent presentation focused on one of its finest, most psychologically insightful portraits.
Excellent presentation. Thank you.
Thank you again for this thoughtful & erudite reflection. Like so many, I look forward to these episodes greatly. I agree, the Hilary Mantel character revises one’s idea!
Cheers, Mr. Salomon, Mr. Holbein, and everyone!
“This the location, Moore or less, he was beheaded “ may have been unintentional, by I appreciate the pun, and wit.
Have spent time in front of this painting (and of course it’s nemesis across the fireplace). Thanks for explaining so much about it’s history. Greatly appreciate your erudition!
Of course aesthetically the paintings look best facing the fireplace as the focal point but there's a part of me that feels it would be appropriate to have them facing away from one another!🤣
Thank you very much. These specialized glimpses into the collection are very much appreciated.
Goodness, I felt a bit tearful by the end of this episode. Friendship is even more priceless than the magnificent works at The Frick but at this moment, I'm so grateful to be able to "log in" and see both. Sending a heartfelt thank you from Arizona to Xavier and The Frick for these weekly visits. Stay healthy out there fellow art lovers!
I'll be joining you again for cocktails soon! I enjoyed learning about the painting and relating to More's mid-life ruminations on work, family, and friendship. The days do slip by, especially in these times!
See you tonight - I love Holbein - love it so much you are the best cannot wait - it is even my birthday next week and your program tonight is my best present!!!!!
Fantastic lecture. Thank you 😊
I am simply amazed at the enjoyment and discovery of this series. Thank You!
wonderful as always, thank you!
These are the best!
this was an exceptional talk in this excellent series. Living in London, a visit to the Frick cannot be made easily, but the talks are well worth listening to , and I have recommended them to many people.
Life without the Frick is not a life! Erasmus, Holbein, More, and even Cromwell - that room gets more crowded every time I visit it.
I'm very much looking forward to this - I love this painting!
This was so fun. Thank you.
Thanks very much - really interesting. As I'm sure you know, there IS a surviving magnificent portrait of Sir Thomas More and his family, in the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Thank you so much! I admire the man and the artist!
Amazing painting. Actually I'm glad I have been able to see the Christina of Denmark portrait and the ambassadors by holbein at the national gallery in London, much closer to me (I'm Italian) . Luckily dollars can't buy everything sometimes. Wonderful video as usual, hope to visit the frick and see this masterpiece together with others one day 😊
Incredible painting, thank you so much for filling in the history surrounding it!!!
This is marvellous.
Brilliant. I look forward to standing in front of the painting the next time I am at the Frick.
so excited! I love Holbein, and I love Cocktails with a Curator!
Thank you so much. I really enjoyed this presentation. A perfect way to start my day.
My favorite Holbein painting, I never tire of his drawings. Thank you for such an eloquent, historical overview. And for these great moments every week, please find more cocktails with Calvados, I could only find a big bottle, inspired by you!!!
The velvet in the sleeve is well rendered. Cadmium red would be used today, maybe vermillion at the time. Delicately done .
Thank you so much for the information and stories relating to the portrait and the artist. Well done.
Puts the spotlight on works i may have walked by and not fully appreciated@the FRICK. A bright spot in my week!
This may be my favorite yet!
A Fantastic talk and great video, thank you.
Fascinating! I hope you'll do the Cromwell portrait too!
A memorable portrayal of a magnificent portrait. Thanks you Xavier for another highlight of the week.
That time was so important for humanism. Excellent picture, excellent words. Thank you!
Love your choice of drink!!!
A wonderful, thoughtful analysis of a man of thought and letters at a calm time in his very busy life, Thank you for your analysis
Wonderful!
excellent ... loved this.
Thank you Xavier for a wonderful lecture!
Pour moi ces cocktails sont un vrai régal. Merci pour ce partage, vous faites preuve d'une grande érudition.
He portrayed the personality of the individual better than any camera could.
Incredible painting.
you are, Xavier, an enchanting absent present friend
Excellent! Thank you.
So good, thank you!
Bravo! A wonderful analysis of the portrait, his life, his friend, his family and, of course, of the gifted artist Holbien... I loved the quotes you cited at the end from More and Erasmus. It is true -- a life without a friend is death. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge on this beautiful work of art.
Thomas More was a saint. That's why we want to stare at his beautiful face by Holbein.
Like all Saints, he sounds like a self deluded dullard. Sinners are much more interesting to study.
Payhole Everdouche - Many of the Saints were fascinating, dynamic, and courageous people who lived amazing lives of adventure. Not at all dull or self deluded. Far more interesting and beneficial than you realize.
Enjoyed and found it of great value
So dreamy! I could listen to him for hours! Meow
Thank you!!
Your choice of cocktail made me smile!
Sempre molto interessante. Grazie!
My friend says it’s the Tudor Rose. The chain is most definitely the Habsburg linkage of the order of the Golden Fleece. Thomas more also wrote A Dialogue against Tribulation while in the Tower of London, a work for our times as well.
The visage in the portrait is striking. Very compelling
¿cómo podés tener un discurso tan perfecto, estimado Xavier? ni sobra ni falta ninguna palabra. Mi admiración.
Wolf Hall can only be described as calculated character assassination. More was complex and certainly not the two dimensional character so often dreamt up in hagiographies. But i greatly doubt that so warm, thoughtful, moderate, anti-clerical and intelligent man as Erasmus would have been such good friends with a dark, murderous and shallow fanatic as the More described in Wolf Hall. And anyone who has read More and understands him in the context of his time would recognize a great gift to civilization. This stands in stark contrast to the calculating fanaticism of Cromwell, who rode roughshod over English law, rights of Englishman and Magna Carta to despoil and ruin the entire ecclesiastical structure of England, from monasteries and cathedrals to alms houses and hospitals. Thousands died because of him. But don’t take my word for it. Take Holbein’s and what he painted knowing these two men well.
I think one is always safe being on the side of the martyr, versus the power hungry.
Interesting and enjoyable to see and hear. As good as a photograph taken yesterday. Don't you feel like giving that Henry a kick up the bum for the ultimate treatment of this sitter. If ever I see Henry I will do just that. He better look out.It'll be worse than falling off his horse!!!!
Sir Thomas More, in this portrait, looks like a twin to Lawrence Olivier.
Thank you
“A Man (and the selected cocktail) for All Seasons.”
I watch that movie and The Lion in Winter every year. Two of my favorites!
Jill E I never knew of The Lion in Winter. Will watch. Thank you!
@@andrewthomann2888 Look for the 1968 version with Peter O'Toole, Katherine Hepurn and Anthony Hopkins. It's the best!
Yes, Peter was repudiated to have a marvelous 'tool.'
So interesting - thank you ~
Love the Cocktail choice!
I love this painting down to the velvet sleeves and even the razor stubble. It makes me think of his future masterpiece, The Ambassadors.
Really good thanks
Holbein. An extraordinary artist.
Thank you very much Frick I enjoy all the episodes and the cocktails! Great quotes as well!
Excellent
I just discover this and I love it...did not have a Bloody-Mary but a good glass of Wine..cheers! ... this is being share with friend at this moment.
Mr. SAlamon thanks again for your lecture about Holbleins Thomas More.Is very interesting i have read Utopia not long ago.
THe ideal life descriebed in his bok is not acheaved but Erasmus "without living friends is nearly death" is true in spite of his protestant feature.The portay itself looks a little bit dark and hard in his fashened taller.
I have bought together the Utopia Edmund Spencer Feary Queen trasleted into hungarian is for the renessance more atractive.
Wonderful, as always, Dr Xavier! Thanks!!! Your viewers might be interested to know that Holbein's beautiful drawings were done by using projections (a camera lucida). He would then paint the portraits based on the drawings, not on a live sitter (Moore may be an exception to this). Holbein was often sent abroad to "take a likeness," and would have next to no time with the distinguished sitter. This craft of outlining the sitter was therefore crucial to him. Often, the drawings were used as the cartoon for the painting-the drawing and the figure in the painting are usually the same size. This may not be true for the portrait of Moore: it is much bigger than Holbein's usual size and would require a (squaring-up?) method of transfer to get the drawing onto the gessoed panel.
The portrait of Thomas Cromwell is not by Holbein, by the way: it is by a follower. The face, in particular, is very poorly modelled (poorly drawn).
Bloody Mary! Great paring
Tx again X..